Chain fastener



Dec. 26, 1939. N AMAT U 2,184,814

CHAIN FASTENER Original Filed April' 12', 1938 Inventor fklfqoro Naja mali saa Attorneys Patented Dec. 26, 1939 i -A E YT OFFEQE 2,184,814 CHAIN FASTENER. Ikugoro Nagamatsu, Las Vegas, Nev.

Application April 12, 1938, Serial No. 201,578 Renewed October 19, 1939 2 Claims.

ticularly to a fastener which is especially adapted for use on dump trucks and the like for retaining the usual tail gate in the desired position. The

present invention is a continuation in part of the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 119,640 which was filed January 8, 1937.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a fastener with which a chain can be easily engaged and held at any point along its length.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a simple and expedient means whereby the tail gate can be held against self-opening in a positive manner or held in an open position if desired.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the container portion of a dump truck showing the invention installed thereon. I

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the invention in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the fastener.

Figure 4 is a top plan view.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figure 1 that numeral 5 generally refers to the dump truck body which consists of a bottom wall 6, front wall 7 and side walls 8'8. Numeral 9 denotes the usual tail gate hingedly connected to the bottom 6 as at Ill.

A cross member II at the free edge of the gate 9 has its end portions projecting laterally of the gate and to each of these ends is connected the chain l2 of the fastener means generally referred to by numeral [3.

Each of these fastening means is of the same construction, and a description of one will suffice for both. It can be seen that the fastener includes an elongated tube I4 secured by U-members l5 to the side wall 8 and in the forward end of this tube I4 is the cross pin Hi to which one end of the coiled extensible spring member I! is secured.

The other end of the. spring I! is secured to the forward end of the chain, while the rear end of the chain extends outwardly of the tube l4 and connects as before stated, to the adjacent end of the cross member I I.

The fastener shown in Figure 3 is generally referred to by numeral I9 andconsists of the plate 20 laterally of which extends the flange 2| deformed to provide the elongated finger or tongue 22 and the upwardly disposed barrel 23, the forward portion of this barrel having a notch 24 formed therein.

It can be seen in Figure 4, that the inner edge or rear edge of the tongue 22 tapers outwardly and forms a continuation on one side of the V- shaped notch 25 in the plate flange 2 I immediately in front of the forward end of the tube or barrel 23.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the bottom of the barrel 23 is on a plane with the tongue 22 and to properly fasten the chain which is always disposed through the barrel 23, the chain is offset downwardly between the forward end of the barrel 23 and the tongue 22 so that the chain passes under the tongue 22. This will cause such an offset in the chain that it will not pull through the barrel 23. To release the gate 9, the chain must be pulled somewhat rearwardly through the barrel 14 so that the linkunder the tongue 22 can be released to a point above the tongue 22 whereupon the gate can be lowered and retained at any point by again disposing the chain under the tongue 22.

When there is a loadingagainst the tail gate 9, the gate can be eased downwardly by letting the links slip through the notch 24 from a point laterally of the barrel 23. It will furthermore be understood that the notch 25 is of wedge shape so that the downwardly disposed link extending between the finger 22 and the barrel 23 will have a tendency to wedge in the slot and the lateral projection of the finger 22 prevents any tendency of the chain slipping laterally and becoming displaced from the fastener.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A chain fastener of the character described comprising a structure attachable plate provided with an outwardly extending portion, said outwardly disposed portion having a V-notch, the edge portions of the plate at the V notch defining a chain-receiving pocket one leg of the outwardly disposed portion of the plate at the V-notch being constructed to provide a horizontal barrel, said barrel being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal extent of the complementary legs, said complementary legs being disposed on substantially the same plane as the barrel, said V-notch having its crotch portion terminating at a point approximately on a plane vertically extending through the axis of the barrel.

2. A chain fastener of the character described comprising a structure attachable plate provided with an outwardly extending portion, said outwardly disposed portion having a V-notch, the edge portions of the plate at the V notch defining 

